Mindful Employer Coordinator, Leigh Staunton, chats to Cat Hardy, Talent Partner at Axiologik, one of the newest members of the Leeds Mindful Employer Network.
Having recently signed the Mindful Employer Charter, Axiologik joins an ever-growing list of Leeds employers who are publicly demonstrating their commitment to the mental health of their employees.
Firstly, please tell us a bit about you and your role at Axiologik
I’m Cat Hardy, Talent Partner at digital consultancy, Axiologik. Originally from Yorkshire and now based in Leeds, my career journey is a testament to the power of non-traditional paths. Instead of following the conventional route of university, I embarked on a transformative year in Australia, honing my skills in the dynamic field of hospitality. This experience, coupled with a decade in hospitality management, provided a unique foundation for my transition into technology recruitment.
Over five years in a tech recruitment agency, I honed my skills in recruiting for permanent and contract roles across various levels and technologies, ascending to the role of Contract Team Lead.
Since joining Axiologik in 2023, I’ve taken on a pivotal role as a Talent Partner. My responsibilities span permanent and contractor resourcing, where I oversee interview processes, onboarding, and manage contract extensions.
As part of the People Team, I’m deeply involved in researching and presenting market trends, driving DE&I initiatives, and supporting Sarah (People Director) and Jack (Head of Talent) with the broader People and Talent Strategy. Every day at Axiologik brings new challenges and opportunities, and I thrive on the variety and the chance to make a meaningful impact. I’m passionate about my role and the chance it gives me to learn and grow.
You’ve recently joined the Leeds Mindful Employer Network. It’s great to have Axiologik on board. What are your first impressions of what it means to be part of this group of local like-minded employers?
I loved meeting you that first time Leigh and going through everything that Leeds Mindful Employer Network does. I walked out of that meeting with about 15 links to different groups that support employers and employees, and so much advice! It’s honestly great to have a network of people who are making mental health and wellbeing a priority within the workplace that I can go to with questions and ask for hints and tips. Everyone is so helpful and friendly!
Why is prioritising staff mental health important at Axiologik?
The consultancy world can often be a demanding and ever-changing environment with pressure from all sides. We really value everything our teams do as we know they are often juggling a lot of different things, both inside and outside of work. We want to ensure everyone is looked after and cared for in the right way, best suited for them. Work pressures can often spill into home life, which is another reason why we wanted to prioritise mental health and encourage people to switch off and take care of themselves when they aren’t working. We want our people to feel valued and know that they are in a safe, productive space where they have support and advice if they need it.
Tell us about your role in supporting staff wellbeing.
As someone who has suffered from burnout previously (in my old roles), staff wellbeing was something I wanted to be involved in from the start. Alongside Sarah, I work through initiatives which support mental and physical wellbeing, take part and give feedback on our learning platform which has a variety of courses related to wellbeing, and I attend events, workshops and training courses in Leeds to bring back ideas to implement into Axiologik. There’s a lot of research that goes into this but it’s the best feeling when an idea comes to fruition! Team members also host and promote a number of socials outside the work space: lunch club socials, book club, games nights, walking and running club at lunch amongst other things.
What are you most proud of in Axiologik’s approach to staff wellbeing over the last 12 months?
I think our openness and willingness to implement and action ideas from the Axiologik people is 
incredible in itself. I love that we listen to the feedback from the onboarding and wellbeing surveys and use the answers to make the work environment a better, safer and more inclusive space for our people. I love hearing people say how much they enjoy the office, the culture and the opportunities that are presented to them because I know in some way or other, I’ve had a hand in it and it makes me feel good to know I’ve made a difference to that person. Working with Sarah has opened my eyes to the possibilities of what we can achieve in Axiologik and I’m so excited to see what the future holds.
Congratulations on becoming an official Mindful Employer! Why did Axiologik decide to sign the Mindful Employer Charter?
We want it to be recognised in the market, as well as by our teams, that we take mental wellbeing seriously to ensure we continue to build on the ideas already implemented. This is an important topic for us and shouldn’t be brushed under the carpet. We need to be showing that it’s OK to discuss these things and that we are only human. We want to remove the stigma associated with discussing mental wellbeing, it’s a chance to build self-awareness and educate our workforce, and that should only ever be seen as a positive. The Mindful Employer Charter was the best place to start in having these open conversations and sharing resources/materials with our staff.
In terms of workplace mental health and wellbeing, what are your priorities at Axiologik for the months ahead?
Our priorities will be working with the Leeds Mindful Employer Network to expand and implement new ideas, as well as attending events, seminars and workshops. Sarah and I will also be putting together some Lunch and Learns prioritising mental health and wellbeing, as well as sending out a Wellbeing Survey. We’re hoping to hear more ideas from the Axiologik staff in terms of what they would like to see from us, so we can build an action plan for the new year.
Thanks so much to Cat for contributing to this blog.
You can find out everything you need to know about becoming a Mindful Employer and signing the charter for employers positive about mental health at work on the mindful employer website. Learn more about the Leeds Mindful Employer Network.
